Gaza: the issue of deceased hostages hangs over the truce. Cardinal Pizzaballa: new leaders are needed

Today's headlines: Indian refineries are reportedly ready to cut imports of Russian oil. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian province of Papua, with no tsunami warning. Foreign visitors to Japan on the rise, with a target of 40 million tourists in 2025. Meeting with Putin, Syrian leader al-Sharaa says he is ready to honour all agreements with Moscow. Beijing raises the maximum age for public sector employment.

ISRAEL - GAZA - VATICAN

The return of the bodies of the hostages remains the main sticking point in this first part of the truce between Israel and Hamas. The movement that controls the Strip is asking for more time to locate and return them, stating that some require special equipment. So far, in addition to the last 20 alive, Hamas has returned nine of the 28 bodies, while US President Donald Trump has retracted (in part) his threat of new military action. Meanwhile, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, stresses the urgency of “new political, but also religious leadership” in order to “start living again with a new perspective that is not war and violence”.

INDIA - US - RUSSIA

Some Indian refineries are preparing to cut imports of Russian oil as part of a policy of gradual reduction, according to well-informed sources speaking to Reuters. In this regard, US President Donald Trump said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to blocking the purchase of crude oil from Moscow as part of a broader policy aimed at cutting the Kremlin's energy revenues.

INDONESIA

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the province of Papua, Indonesia, today, with its epicentre about 200 km from the city of Abepura - with a population of over 62,000 - and at a depth of about 70 km. There are currently no tsunami warnings, as confirmed by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

JAPAN

The number of foreign visitors to Japan between January 2025 and September 2025 increased by 17.7% compared to the previous year, reaching 31.65 million and marking the fastest trend in exceeding 30 million. Chinese tourists are driving the increase in arrivals. The overall figure at the end of the year is set to exceed the record of 36.87 million in 2024, most likely reaching 40 million tourists and a turnover of more than €39 billion.

RUSSIA - SYRIA

Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday, Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said he intends to honour all past agreements signed between Damascus and Moscow, confirming that the two Russian military bases in Syria are safe. The Kremlin chief also congratulated the Syrian interim president on the (controversial) parliamentary elections held earlier this month.

CHINA

Beijing has raised the maximum age for hiring in certain civil service positions for the first time in three decades, from 35 to 38. The decision aims to retain older workers longer and strengthen a shrinking sector. Candidates must be between 18 and 38 years old to apply, while the limit for those with master's or doctoral degrees has been extended from 40 to 43.

ARMENIA - AZERBAIJAN

The United Kingdom has expressed its approval of the progress in peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As proof of British support, the London government has decided to lift the embargo on arms deliveries to the two countries, in place since 1992, in order to “cooperate in the field of security and defence with both”.

KAZAKHSTAN

President Kasym-Žomart Tokaev has proposed switching to a single-chamber parliamentary system, instead of the current two chambers, the Senate and the Mažilis. This would require the rewriting of at least 40 of the 98 articles of the Constitution, followed by the amendment of 10 constitutional laws and around 50 codes. In effect, this would be a complete constitutional reform, which “requires careful preparation”.